many years ago people would gather in a pub to drink and play board games. this is like the definition of socializing for everyone that is not from our generation (with our generation I mean everyone who has engaged in online gaming).
when I tell my granddad that my kind of socializing is playing a game with a group of friends over the internet he basically tells me that I'm insane and that I should go see a doctor and that playing and talking with friends online is nothing compared to the ACTUAL social experience I get when I meet people in person. It would make me mentally ill and I would become sad and depressed if my only form of social interaction was via online games.
that's what he's been telling me for the past 10 years now and I'm still doing just fine gaming online with my friends.
my question for you: what ARE the differences between these two ways of socializing: Poker in a pub vs. Gaming in a group?
I just don't see any. In World of Warcraft, for example, new friendships are made every day, people laugh with each other, people help each other out, people are getting married...
Yes, you can't physically see the other person but what difference does that make? I've been to school for 10 years, I've attended many real life events and so have you and everyone else. I know when someone is happy and I know when someone is sad. I don't have to go to a pub and play Poker in order to improve my social skills or my empathy. Sorry for the rant but it makes me a little mad that literally no one of the older generations seems to understand this.
am I wrong or do you feel the same?